1 Chronicles 22:6-13
6 Then he called for his son Solomon , and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel . 7 David said to Solomon , " My son , I had intended to build a house to the name of the Lord my God . 8 "But the word of the Lord came to me, saying , ' You have shed much blood and have waged great wars ; you shall not build a house to My name , because you have shed so much blood on the earth before Me. 9 'Behold , a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest ; and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side ; for his name shall be Solomon , and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days . 10 ' He shall build a house for My name , and he shall be My son and I will be his father ; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever e .' 11 "Now , my son , the Lord be with you that you may be successful , and build the house of the Lord your God just as He has spoken concerning you. 12 " Only the Lord give you discretion and understanding , and give you charge over Israel , so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God . 13 " Then you will prosper , if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel . Be strong and courageous , do not fear nor be dismayed .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 22:6-13
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 22:6-16
(Read 1 Chronicles 22:6-16)
David gives Solomon the reason why he should build the temple. Because God named him. Nothing is more powerful to engage us in any service for God, than to know that we are appointed thereto. Because he would have leisure and opportunity to do it. He should have peace and quietness. Where God gives rest, he expects work. Because God had promised to establish his kingdom. God's gracious promises should quicken and strengthen our religious service. David delivered to Solomon an account of the vast preparations he had made for this building; not from pride and vain-glory, but to encourage Solomon to engage cheerfully in the great work. He must not think, by building the temple, to purchase a dispensation to sin; on the contrary, his doing that would not be accepted, if he did not take heed to fulfil the statutes of the Lord. In our spiritual work, as well as in our spiritual warfare, we have need of courage and resolution.